The Minnesota Lynx secured the first 2025 WNBA playoff spot. Putting up some phenomenal performances throughout the season, the Lynx is looking like true championship material. In fact, their regular-season record against their arch-rivals and the defending champion, the New York Liberty, has also been utterly impressive. However, despite all the upsides, the team recently suffered a shock defeat. And head coach Cheryl Reeve did not shy away from lashing out at her team.
Lynx recently squared off against the Seattle Storm. Unfortunately, despite starting quite strong, the team faltered in the end and suffered a 93-79 loss. And Reeve was not at all happy with it. She blasted the defence using some harsh words.
Cheryl Reeve Utterly Displeased With Minnesota Lynx Defence
Following the humiliating loss, head coach Reeve was utterly displeased with the team’s performance. Especially, looking at the Lynx’s defence faltering under pressure, the head coach went NSFW. She requested her team to show some urgency and act as if saving their own half matters a lot.
“Play some f****** defense man, play some defense, act like that end matters, we have not done that in a long time, and that’s what was the focus, and so you play one quarter of defense. That’s it,” said Reeve.
Cheryl Reeve on how to bounce back from the Seattle loss
— Andrew Dukowitz (@adukeMN) August 29, 2025
“Play some F****** defense man, play some defense, act like that end matters, we have not done that in a long time… we had 12 deflections on the game. That tells you everything” pic.twitter.com/eFdJHUR63R
Reeve further pointed out how the team had 12 deflections which ultimately painted the sorrowful picture of Lynx’s defense. And Lynx’s head coach’s displeasure is not unjustified at all. After the second quarter, Minnesota led by 21 points. However, things took a rapid turn in the second half. Storm came out all guns blazing and dropped 34 points, compared to Lynx’s 17.
Scroll to continue reading
Trending WNBA News
They also shot a stunning 57.1 percent from the field and 57.9 percent from the three-point range. Meanwhile, the outburst from Reeve is supposed to get the team’s defense back in place. After all, it was the 58-year-old head coach herself who praised Alanna Smith for her defensive abilities.
Cheryl Reeve Endorses Alanna Smith For Defensive Player Of The Year
Despite losing Napheesa Collier due to an injury for a chunk of the season, the Lynx managed to hold their top seeding via a superb all-around performance. And one of the main reasons for the same has been Alanna Smith’s rock-solid defense. The 28-year-old has already made her name back in college. And now, she is second in the blocks this season. Smith also has an average of two steals per game, coupled with four defensive rebounds, to earn Reeve’s praise.
Endorsing the 28-year-old for the Defensive Player of the Year, Reeve said, “Her [Alanna] and Phee, the first day that they played defense together, their synergy was terrific. Every move that Phee made, Lan knew where to be and play off her. Alanna’s just really smart. Really, really smart, and would absolutely be my choice for Defensive Player of the Year.”
Surely, putting so much stress on defense, it was understandable why the 58-year-old got irked. And while Reeve has promised to dye her hair pink if they win the championship, the onus is now on the team to make the situation become a reality.